Are you a veteran? Are you in need of a new job or career path? Do you have any barriers to employment currently? Need some support? Look no further than PA CareerLink® of the Southern Alleghenies. The job market is saturated with open positions that could fit your skills and goals moving forward. PA CareerLink® has over 200k positions currently posted! Veterans receive priority of service at PA CareerLink®. Read our tips for success and more detail into the breadth of customized services available for veterans!

Tips for Success

A veteran—hopefully you are reading this—should do the following to position him or herself for success in today’s hot job market:

  1. Begin your job search now and keep at it – There are sites and resources dedicated to veteran job searching. PA CareerLink® of the Southern Alleghenies is among them – with special free one-on-one support and job coaching available. So no matter whether you’re a veteran transitioning into a new career after military service, or a veteran who needs a career change, PA CareerLink® is here to help.
  2. Network and connect with others – PA CareerLink® job fairs and introductions to potential hiring organizations are among the many current networking opportunities. In addition, other resources such as LinkedIn are valuable, giving veterans opportunities to showcase their skills and use them to research organizations and available positions. It’s a small world, and you never know where connections can lead you!
  3.   Research potential roles and companies – It can be challenging to determine the next steps, especially for a veteran. Embrace technology and resources to find a match for your skills and goals. For example, free military skills translators are available online, including one through PA CareerLink®, that help translate military skills into skills for the civilian sector. PA CareerLink® has close relationships with employers and knows which organizations have a fitting culture and training programs or internship opportunities. Many companies also have dedicated internal programs to attract and maintain veteran talent.

Veterans Helping Veterans

At PA CareerLink® of the Southern Alleghenies, we have dedicated employees (also veterans themselves) who help local veterans secure employment. We also have devoted employees (veterans themselves) who focus on building relationships with businesses with both positions and a work culture for veterans. PA CareerLink® services for veterans are free. Our goal is to put the veteran first.

PA CareerLink® Services

Our priority of service for veterans includes the following:

  • Dedicated staff members who spend their days helping veterans – Our Veterans Representatives work one-on-one with veterans throughout the career hunt and preparation process. Offerings are vast and are 100% based on the unique needs of the veteran. Because our Veterans Representatives are veterans, too, PA CareerLink® can relate and connect on many levels – there is no time like the present to contact PA CareerLink®.
  • Wraparound services to position veterans for success – Veterans Representatives have established connections and relationships with other veteran organizations in the community. Before employment can be secured, often PA CareerLink® provides support with basic needs (for example, if needed, health referrals and support for housing needs or transportation or additional education). Our services are genuinely personalized based on the unique needs of the veteran and any potential barriers to employment that may exist.
  • Case management for those who qualify for the Disabled Veterans Program – Our team provides more in-depth wraparound services for those who are eligible, with support from day one to secure any needed referrals or special accommodations. Follow-up is provided throughout the process, ensuring that support to needs and other veteran agency partnerships are leveraged.
  • Preparation and finding the right position – Our team of dedicated staff helps veterans translate skills, build marketable resumes, secure interviews, and offer access to PA CareerLink® workshops (interview tips and more). Other services include on-the-job training or internship programs that might be a fit.
  • Priority access to local employers – We also have dedicated staff members who spend their days outreaching to local companies on behalf of veterans. For example, we work a lot with defense contractors in the community. These employers want to hire veterans, and many also have veteran priority of service. We make referrals, and we get veterans priority interviews.

Spotlight on Bedford and Blair Counties

Veterans of Blair and Bedford Counties, are you up for the challenge? We think you are! At our recent Blair County Job Fair, 49 veterans attended. It’s your turn to get engaged now! Are you ready to find your dream job? Look no further than your local PA CareerLink® offices for support. Maybe you have lost your job during the pandemic or need a new position for whatever reason, now is the time to reach out and start the job search process.

Shane Perez, PA CareerLink® Veteran Employment Representative, says, “I can help you get your resume up to speed, get you interview-ready, and connect you with resources that can aid you in your job search.” Services are free and can be started by either visiting the office or calling. Also serving Bedford and Blair Counties is Jeff Schlick (below, right). Jeff’s role is to advocate employers in the region the importance of hiring qualified veterans. He is very excited about his position and says, “I find this role very rewarding and meaningful. Who could ask for a better task than helping veterans gain meaningful employment?” In addition, he builds relationships with companies and ensures local businesses know about PA CareerLink® veteran services and supports. Jeff says, “At PA CareerLink®, our goal is to put the veteran first. There is always someone at PA CareerLink® who is looking to assist a veteran. It’s important to remember we are veterans helping veterans.” Both Shane and Jeff served in the United States Marine Corps.

Are you a veteran in Blair or Bedford County who is ready for the challenge? Are you a company that is interested in recruiting veteran talent? Regardless of which county you reside in, you can take action today. We thank you for your service, and we are ready to help.

 

PA CareerLink®-Bedford County
Hours: Monday-Friday 8 am – 4 pm; Friday 9 am – 4 pm
Phone: 814-623-6107
TTY: 814-623-6029

PA CareerLink®-Blair County
Hours: Monday-Thursday 8:30 am – 4:30 pm; Friday 9 am – 4:30 pm
Phone: 814-940-6200
TTY: 814-569-1066

PA CareerLink®-Cambria County
Hours: Monday-Thursday 8 am – 4 pm; Friday 9 am – 4 pm
Phone: 814-534-2500
TTY: 814-534-2511

PA CareerLink®-Huntingdon County
Hours: Monday-Friday 8 am – 4 pm
Phone: 814-641-6408
TTY: 1-866-395-0149

Employment and Training Inc.
Affiliate site of the PA CareerLink® Huntingdon-Fulton County
Hours: Monday-Friday 8 am – 4 pm
Phone: 717-485-5131
TTY: 717-485-3970

PA CareerLink®-Somerset County
Hours: Monday-Thursday 8 am – 4 pm; Friday 9 am – 4 pm
Phone: 814-445-4161
TTY: 814-444-5814